The Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) is hosting its much-anticipated Technovation Expo 2025 this week, an event that showcases Zimbabwe’s remarkable strides in science, technology, and innovation. Officially opened by Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, Innovation and Technology Development, Hon. Simelisizwe Sibanda, the expo highlights two decades of concerted efforts toward transforming Zimbabwe into a modern, resilient, and knowledge-driven economy.
Addressing a diverse audience of academics, industry leaders, students, and government officials after a tour of the exhibition stands, Deputy Minister Sibanda emphasised the significance of the event as a testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to harnessing technological innovation for socio-economic growth. “This event is a shining testament to Zimbabwe’s commitment to using science and technology as catalysts for our national development and industrialisation,” he declared.
Themed “Twenty Years of Designing the Future: Celebrating Commercialisation of Research, Development and Innovation Outputs for Zimbabwe’s Modernisation and Industrialisation,” the expo underscores the country’s focus on translating scientific discoveries into impactful solutions. From Tuesday, July 29, to Friday, August 1, the event has featured a series of activities including public lectures, symposiums, a Portfolio Engineering Challenge, a Game Development Hackathon, and exhibitions of start-ups and innovations.
“The activities are designed to showcase Zimbabwe’s vibrant research and development ecosystem. They demonstrate how our institutions are positioning themselves at the forefront of technological advancement, with tangible solutions addressing our country’s most pressing challenges,” Hon Sibanda remarked.
Among the highlights of the expo are several notable achievements by HIT and its partners that exemplify the strategic role of innovation in national development. These include the development of an export licensing system for the Ministry of Mines, which is currently being deployed to streamline mineral export processes, and a new Bureau de Change system adopted by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to enhance financial transactions.
The Deputy Minister also highlighted significant strides in digital transformation, with the adoption of MinervaERP at the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) and NdaramaERP across universities, including HIT itself. These systems are modernising administrative processes and increasing efficiency across key sectors.
Energy innovation was prominently showcased, with projects such as the design and assembly of solar panels and a 30MW solar capacity deployment, positioning Zimbabwe as a leader in renewable energy. The development of battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium-iron-phosphate batteries further underscores the country’s capacity for technological advancement in energy storage.
In addition, the expo featured initiatives aimed at social impact, such as the SIST mobile games developed for Childline, and the unveiling of the Museyamwa App, a revolutionary platform designed to integrate the informal sector into Zimbabwe’s mainstream economy. This app is poised to enhance economic participation among informal traders, fostering inclusivity and economic diversification.
Hon. Sibanda also emphasised that these innovative solutions are the fruits of effective collaboration between academia, industry, and government – an essential strategy for sustainable growth. “Research and innovation are directly contributing to our development agenda. Our collaborative efforts are driving tangible solutions that address real-world problems,” he said.
The expo also promoted Education 5.0, a learner-centred approach that aligns education with industry needs, preparing Zimbabwe’s youth to become active participants in the country’s modernisation journey. Minister Shava called on young people to seize opportunities in science, engineering, and technology, noting that future careers will be rooted in STEM fields.
Furthermore, the event highlighted the burgeoning startup ecosystem within Zimbabwe’s innovation space. HIT’s emphasis on nurturing start-ups and spin-offs is creating a vibrant environment for technopreneurs developing solutions that address societal challenges, generate employment, and diversify the economy.
Concluding his remarks, Deputy Minister Shava expressed gratitude to HIT for its role in advancing technological development and fostering innovation. “Your efforts are inspiring the next generation of innovators and positioning Zimbabwe as a leader in Africa’s technological landscape,” he said.
He also issued a call to all stakeholders, academia, industry, government, and civil society to sustain and expand these efforts. “Let us continue to foster an environment where innovation thrives, where research translates into tangible solutions, and where Zimbabwe becomes a beacon of technological excellence in Africa,” he urged.
With the official unveiling of the Museyamwa App, Deputy Minister Sibanda closed his speech, inspiring confidence that Zimbabwe’s journey towards a technologically advanced future is well underway. The Technovation Expo 2025 has not only celebrated past achievements but also set the stage for a future driven by innovation, research, and collaborative effort.
